Detachable clasp



Sept. 7, 1943. F. R. ElcHNl-:R

DETACHABLE CLASP Filed Feb. 28, 1942 Zhwentor Gttornegs Patented Sept. 'A7, `1.943

; 1 UNITED STATES PATENTQOFFICE DETACHABLE CLASP Ferdinand n. niehner, Pontiac, Mich. l

' Application February 28, 1942, Serial No. 432,751-

Claims.

The present invention relates to detachable clasps, and more particularly to a clasp for attaching an identiication badge to a garment.

The primary object of the inventionisnto provide 'a resilient clasp to which an identification badge may be secured, 'to facilitate easy manipulation of the badge and to prevent the tearing and damaging of the cloth of a garment to which the badge is attached.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resilient clasp having mutually depressed rib portions to frictionally engage the fabric of the garment and prevent loss or detachment of the badge and clasp through accidental removal from the garment. l

Another object of theinvention is to provide a clasp of the above typehaving aligned apertures for the reception of the badge pin fastener, so that the pin fastener will not contact the garment on which the badge is placed, eliminating injury to the wearer through sticking and darnage to the garment by theV pin 'fastener point tearing the threads of the garment.

Another object of the invention is to provide a detachable clasp for supporting-an identification badge wherein the badge'may be locked inA place and prevented from `becoming lost or detached from the clasp.

Another object of the invention is toprovide a; clasp of the above mentioned character which is formed of a transparent material such assynthetic condensation products of the resinous and vinyl type so Athat the clasp may be applied to various coloredgarments without noticeable distinction and without presenting an unpleasing appearance.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp adapted to support an identification badge,v

which `may be formed of a material suitablycolored to correspond to the color of the garment to which the clasp is attached, thereby presenting a pleasing appearance to the esthetic eye.

In the drawing:V l Figure 1` is a side elevation partly in section illustratng 'a preferred embodiment of the invention; f v i l Fig. 2 is afront elevation ofthe same showing the aligned openings for receiving theidentiica-` tion badge pin fastener. i Fig, 3 is aside elevation similar to Figure l1v il: lustrating the manner in which an' identification badge is attachedthereto. g Fig. 4 is-airear elevation showing the rear vjaw member of the clasp and the position of the identication badge extendingsubstantially the entire overall area thereof.

Fig.,5` is a front elevation illustrating the clasp and showing the identication badge attached to the aligned openings of the mutually corrugated rib portion.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal cross sectional view taken on line 8 6 of Fig. 3 looking in the vdirection of the arrows showing the identcation badge pin fastenerloss preventing device blocked by one jawof the clasp.

Fig. 'l'is aside elevation of a modied form of the invention illustrating a different support for receiving the pin fastener of the identification badge.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of themodified form shown in Fig. 7 more clearlyf illustrating the location of the support and its relation with respect to the clasp member, and

"Fig, 9` is a perspective view of a clasp embodying the invention showing" Van -identication badge secured thereon Aand illustrating the manner in` which the clasp is attached to a garment. j

In'general, therinvention comprises a resilient transparent clasp member adaptedto be positioned on a garment havingmutually transverse corrugated portions or rib-like extensions so that one set of corrugations can beapertured for receiving the pin fastener of an identification badge and so that both corrugated portions may coact to maintain the clasp in position on the garment without resorting to the useofthe pin fastener and eliminating to a, large degree damage to the cloth of the garment and 'the prevention of numerous pin hole openings asin the case where the pin fastener is employed and depended upon solely forsecuring the identification badge to ajgarment. j

Further, the invention consists in providing an attractive support `for an identication badge which may be formed of various-colored phenolin' condensation products tofenhance'the beauty of the devices and to render the same less conspicuous when the badge is attached to the clasp and the clasp fixed or secured toagarment of a corresponding color.

It is intended, to produce the clasps in transparent materials as Well as colored materials soA thatl they may be purchased to blend with a particular colored garment Vand vindividuality may thus be set up by selecting a number of variousshown a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein the reference character I will be employed to generally designate a clasp having parallel jaw portions II and I2 formed from a strip of resilient material bent upon itself as shown at I3 to provide a relatively large loop portion. The free ends of the jaw portions are outwardly bent as at I4 and I5 respectively so that the jaw portions may separate when the lclasp is ,appleddo a, garment. handkerchief with mutually presentedl transverse depressed portions 2l and 22 formed on the jaw portion I2 complementary with the ribs I 9 and 2-0 andarranged sothat the jaw portions may cooperate to be clamped on a garment `orl other piece of wearing apparel and prevented from slipping therefrom.

' The depressionsV orcorrugations 2| and 2i provide outwardly projecting transverse ribs 23 and 24 which. are in substantially the same plane so that they ymay be vconnected by an karcuately curved portion 25 complementarywith the arcuately curvedconnecting portion IS. Further, said transverse ribs 23 and 24 provide a contactfsupport for an identification badge to prevent wobblingV and vibration when the badge and clasp are in position. l

vr lilach `of the ribs ghand 24- are -providedwith transversely aligned; apertures 2,3 and 2l respectivelynwhich are formed intermediate the ends of the ribs and av considerable distancefrom the vertical edges of the jaw portion II. The apertures are formadas-close to the bottom walls of the transverse depressions as possible to prevent through the apertures 26 and 21 the Akeeper as shown in Figures 3 and 6 will be held against rotation by reason of the fact that the projections 39 engage the front wall of the clasp portion and prevent the escape of the pin fastener when the badge is in position.

By employing a slender, blunt instrument, the projection 39 may be forced in a direction to align the slots 36 and 38 for either removing or positioning the badge on the clasp, f When the badge hasy thus been positioned on a clasp of the desired color, the assembly may be clipped or attached to the pocket P of a suit or other garment S as shown in Fig. 9 so that the return bent portion I3 fits well down on the edge of the pocket. It will yreadily be observed that the clasp may be suitably colored tovcoincide with the color of the garment, inwhich instance, the clasp will be unnoticeable and inconspicuous and the badge thematerial of the garment from being pinched therein. v

v In Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, there is shown a conventional form of identification badge generally consisting ofa casing frame 23 `having its marginal ovalshaped edgek 29 bent upon itself to provide a flange for holdinga.backingl rnerriber 3E) in position. A window 3.I is formed in the upper portion ofthepframe for displaying a photograph of the person identified while a window opening-32 is formed in the lowerportion of the frame for further identiiixajtiori''data- Y d Identificationy badges of this character are generally. provided with fastening means suchnas lis, shown inthe drawing including a pin fastener bart?.` pivotally *attached` to thel backing member 3! r at 34 to a bifurcated lug soldered or otherwise secured thereto. The opposite swinging-end ofthe pin fastener bar 33 is adapted to be held inplace by a loss `preventing device, comprising afpair of spaced lugs 354having annular openings communicating with slots 3K6 forY the entrance andescape of `the end ofthe pinportion bar.

Thecircularopenings in the lugs .35 rotatably receive a keeper 3l which is interposed between the lugs andis provided with a suitable slot. 38 adapted tovalign with the slot36 during the entrance ,and escape of, thepin fastener end. Formed-on thekeeper 31 is a pairr of radial projections 39 toA facilitate rotation ofr the Akeeper and thus lock the pin fastener inposition.

Whentheidniieation 'we 281s Secured@ the, Clasnl; by passing. the pin fastener` 33.'

form to the invention depicted in Figures Lto (if.

and 9 inclusive and includes oppositelyf disposed jaw portions IIa and I2a -V,formed from afstrip` of flexible material return bent.y as at [3a. The jaw portions IIa and I2aare providedV with similar extendingfree end portions v'Illa' and I5a and is Iprovided with mutual depressionsjll and IIa connectedl by an arcuate portion Ika thus, providing transversely extending ribs Ila`r and 23a. The opposed jaw portion I2a is'com.- plementarily depressed transversely as. at ZIayvand 22a providing a fabric gripping and anti-slipping surface between the jaw portions.

The transversely depressed portions 2Ia 22a form spaced projecting ribs. 23a and- '2411 t0., which is attached va tubular support 23a., having a central bore 27a for receiving the pin fastener4 bar of a badge in a manner similar to that shownl in Figures l to 6 and 9 inclusive.

It .is to be noted, that the tubular support 26a.;

is in the same relative position with the axis vof its bore coinciding with the apertures 26A in Figures 1 to 6 and 9 inclusive by reducing the size of thedepressions 2Ia and 22a so that lthe pin,

lfastener bar will lienin the saine relativepositionand cause the projections 394y onthejbadge. lgeeperA to engage the lower end of the pin portionlla.

The clasp of both forms `of the invention may be produced by a simple stamping operation Lor may be formed of ran extended plastic materiali possessing sufcient resilient characteristics such.l as a phenolic condensation product 'or' acetate derivative.

It is to be understood that the forms'of the invention herewith shown and described" are'to be `taken' as preferredY embodiments of the inven-l tion and that various changes in the shape'fsize and arrangement ofY parts may l.be resortedrto-Y without departing from the/spirit ofthe inven-v ber of substantially the same dimensions as'tl'ieY` badge, mutually deiined closely spaced-'transversely extending'corrugations formed inthe jaws of said clamping member intermediate" theirlength and means carried by one `of said jawstransversely of said corrugations for supporting a badge. said means. providing a.' relativelyrigid.:

and L i retained on an article of wearing apparel, comprising a U-sha-ped resilient clamping member of substantially the same dimensions as thebadge,

transversely arranged mutually dened corrugations formed in the jaws of said member in slightly spaced apart relation' and means carried by one of said jaws extending longitudinally thereof and transversely of the corrugations for detachably supporting a badge said means providing a relatively rigid; connection-r between the clasp and badge vat the spaced apart corrugations.

3. A badge supportingclasp vfor receiving the pin fastener thereof and adapted `to be frictionally retained on an article ofwearing apparel, comprising a Uf-shaped clamping member formed of resilient transparent material, mutually defined transversely arranged slightly spaced corrugations formed in the jaws'of'the clamping member and means carried by one of vsaid jaws extending longitudinally thereof and transversely of the `corrugations. for supporting a badge said means providing a relatively rigid connection for the badge between the humps of the slightly spaced corrugations.

e. An identification badge supporting clasp for` tion badge said means providing va relativelyy rigid connection for said badge withthe pin fastener thereof bridging tions. l

5. An identification badge supporting clasp,v

the spaced apart vcorrugaber of the badge whereby said badge .will be rigidly connected to the clasp and supported atV the spaced apart corrugations against relative y turning movement.

' fastener.

'7. A badgesupporting clasp-adapted "to` be frictionally attached to anjarticle of wearing apparel for receiving the lpin fastener ofjabadge,

comprising a U-shaped transparent strip of material of substantially the sarrie` size and dimen-` sions as the badge, slightlyspaced apart transof the U-shaped strip and saidl corrugations having a pair of aligned apertures extending loni gitudinally of the jaw and transversely of the corrugations for receiving the pin fastener of said badge said apertures beingI formed on the hump portions of the spaced apart corrugations to provide multiple attaching points for the badge pin 8. A vbadge supporting clasp adapted to be frictionally attached toV an article 'iof wearing p creased width and of substantially the same dicomprising a transparent resilient U-shaped i clamping member of substantially the same size ably supporting said identification badge said means providing anchoring points for the badge at spaced apart locations whereby twisting or turning of said badge will be prevented.

6. A badge supporting claspadapted to receive the pin fastener of a badge comprising a U- `shaped strip of material of substantially the same size and dimensions as the badge,'corrugations formed in one leg of theU-shaped vstrip in slightly spaced apart relation and said corrugations on one of the legs of the U-shaped strip being provided with aligned p apertures extending longitudinally of the jaw andl transversely ofthe corrugations for receiving the pin fastener memmensions as the badge, complementary slightly spaced apart corrugations formed in the legs ofthe U-shaped clamping membensaid clampi. ing member 4having one of its clamping legsl slightly enlarged and provided witha'pertures formed through the humps of the corrugations therein extending longitudinally-of the jaw and transversely of the corrugations for receivingythe pin fastener of said badge whereby the pinfastener of the badge will be supported atsp'aced apart locations to prevent Arelative Iturning movement thereof. Y

9. A badge supporting clasp adapted to be frictionally attached to an article of wearing apparel for receiving the pinfastener of a badge,`

comprising a U-shaped clamping member of substantially the same size and dimensions as the badge, transversely formed slightly `spaced apartv complementary corrugations in the clamping member, and one set of said corrugations being of increased size and having spaced apertures teners of said badge said apertures being-formed on the hump portions of the spaced apart corrugations 'to provide multiple` attaching points for the badge pin fastener.

10. An identification badge supporting clasp adapted to be frictionally attached to an `article of a badge, comprising` a U-shaped'clamping member of substantiallyv the same size and dimensions as the badge, closely spaced apart complementary corrugated gripping portions formed on the clamping member and a tubular support attached to one set of said corrugations extending transversely thereof and longitudinally with respect to said clamping member for receiving the pin fastener of said badgesaidtubular support being adapted to receive the pin fastener of a badge and support the same between the anchoring points of the humps of thespaced corrugations, ,i

` y FERDINAND R. EICHNER. 

